Mills Reef
Reserve
Cabernet Merlot
Gimblett Gravels
2017Alcohol: 13.0%
4 STARS
The grapes for this generous wine were grown in the stony soils in the prestigious Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing District, on low yielding closely spaced vines. The 2017 growing season experienced a dry summer with some disease pressure early autumn. Despite this, the fruit came off the vine in very good condition, with an average of 20.2 Brix.
The grapes were gently crushed, allowing some whole berries to remain intact, and the must transferred into a mix of open top fermenters and closed stainless steel tanks for an average of three days cold soak. Fermentation proceeded with twice daily rummaging for colour, flavour and fine tannin extraction. The resulting wine was aged for 10 months in quality oak, predominantly French 300L hogsheads (33% being new wood), with one racking. The wine was fined and filtered prior to bottling in July 2017 under screwcap closure.
A rich flavoursome wine, this traditional blend exudes intense blackcurrant and boysenberry flavours, layered with caramel and spicy cedary oak. Ageing in quality oak has conferred a velvety smooth texture, giving this wine immediate appeal, or for judicious cellaring to reward over the medium termPrices are in New Zealand Dollars and include GST (Goods & Services Tax) in New Zealand




